1<|2 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND. 



this is noticeable: — "The red hly (L. canadense ruhrimi) is 

 a flower so vulgar, every countrywoman can form an idea of 

 it in a stranger's head, by their rastick descriptions. . . . 

 Next comes martagans, a rambling flower onely fit for flower 

 pots or chimneys, and to be planted in by borders or under 

 hedges."'^ Carnations were still popular flowers: — "Caryophylliis 

 hortensts called July flowers, and are indeed summer glory 

 as Tulips the pride of the spring. . . . the nobler sorts 

 which are called Dutch July flowers or more vulgarly 

 carnations raised from seeds in the Netherlands and other 

 parts adjoining to the sea, and thence conveyed to us."t 



The sensitive plant, Planta Mimosa, the sensible or humble 

 " plant," was a new acquisition in Charles the First's time. 

 The seeds were " yearly brought out of America." J This 

 would be one of the tender annuals, for which the hot bed 

 would be prepared. Another plant grown in this way was 

 Tobacco, " Sow on a hot bed as early as you can after 

 Christmas," writes Sharrock, "then plant under South Wall or 

 otherwise with hedges or fences of Reed to be defended from 

 sharp weather." § Jacoboea marina {= Sprekelia formosissima) 

 came from N. America, in 1658. Jasmine {= odoratissimuni) 

 from Madeira about the same time, and many other plants 

 were introduced. 



So much is done to encourage the improvement of flowers 

 nowadays, by Shows, Competitions and Prizes, that it is 

 difficult to realize that the efforts made in that direction long 

 ago were spontaneous. The earliest record I have noticed of 

 encouragement of the growth of flowers (except of course 

 gratuities for presents of flowers, at a much earlier date) is 

 mentioned by Pulteney,|l " Mr. Ray informs us that the people 

 of Norwich had long excelled in the culture and production of 

 fine flowers, and that in those days (c. 1660) the florists held 



* Gilbert, Florist's Vade Meciim. f Ibid. % Rea. 



§ The first description of Tobacco in English appeared in 1580 in a work 

 entitled Joyfull News from the Newfound World, translated from the 

 Spanish of Monardus by J. Frampton. There is an account " of the Tobacco 

 and of his great vertues " and a woodcut of the plant. 



II Sketches of Botany, 1797. 



